There are times when we all need encouraging: that is, to be inspired with courage and to have our hope renewed, especially when we are going through difficult times.
The snapshot of Jesus' glory in this Sunday's Gospel was an encouragement to the three disciples. For the first time they received a glimpse of the awesome divinity of Jesus. But soon they would go through difficult times and see Jesus crucified.

So beforehand, God tells them to listen to Jesus and allows them to see Jesus for who he really is. Following Jesus is not easy: it never was. But if, like the disciples, we too listen to Jesus, we will experience the encouragement that God offers freely to each one of us - today.

The Transfiguration of Christ left a lasting impression on St. Peter - he testified many years later that he heard the voice of the Majestic Glory, the Father say, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased' (2 Peter 17).  And yet, despite this profound experience, St. Peter betrayed and denied the Lord. He was not truly transformed until the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  Conversion is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, who transforms us with ever increasing glory by the renewal of our minds.

Our first Parents' Evening Session for Years Reception to Year 5 will take place this coming Tuesday between 3.30pm and 5.30pm. From the feedback we have received this will be conducted face-to-face and will be held in each classroom.  There will be a limited number of spaces outside each class along with the children's books which parents are welcome to look at while they wait. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a place for children to wait during these sessions.  Please make the necessary arrangements so that you are able to meet with your child's class teacher at the allocated time which will be a 5 minute slot. The Year 6 sessions will take place on Tuesday 29th March and Tuesday 5th April at the same times. We ask that parents undertake a Lateral Flow Device test before coming into school for their appointment. Thank you for your continued support.

Thank you once again for supporting the Diocesan Lenten Charity, The Good Shepherd Appeal, in association with Fr. Hudson's Care.  It is one of the oldest appeals dating back to when children would collect coins during the early days of the charity and is now one of its biggest and most vital fundraising campaigns.

We will also be supporting SIFA Fireside in helping the homeless of Birmingham. This will be a good opportunity to spring clean as we move into a new season and our Lenten journey together.

Each and every one of us could be confronted by poverty, depression or addiction and could soon find ourselves vulnerable and searching for long-standing, sustainable routes out of homelessness.

In Birmingham, many adults are homeless or vulnerably housed with the true figures often unknown due to the hidden homelessness that’s associated with sofa surfing, modern slavery and individuals not making themselves known.

SIFA Fireside supports clients in their recovery from the effects of homelessness. From essential services such as the Adult Support Hub, our Tenancy Support Services and the essential needs met through our Drop-in Centre, our range of services exist not to ‘throw money at the issues’ but to stand by people while they rebuild their lives with safety and dignity.

We are asking for donations of the following items during the season of Lent. Please bring these to the main reception and a representative from Fireside will collect before the end of term.  Any of the following items are gratefully received: towels, plastic carrier bags, men's jogging bottoms (waist 30-32inch), trainers, men's jeans (waist 30-32inch), sweatshirts and hoodies (small and medium), new women's underwear, socks, gloves, hats, sleeping bags, roll mats and rucksacks.

In terms of food items, we please request the following: Pot Noodles, canned meals, cereal bars, biscuits, crisps, long-life desserts, bottled water, soft drinks, squash and instant hot drinks.  

Next Friday, we will be celebrating our patronal feast day as a school community along with another St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent.  The School Councils members from each school are due to meet next Tuesday to decide upon some activities they can share and work together on collaboratively.  Each School Council has also created a one-page summary about their school.  The children and staff from St. Joseph's Stoke-on-Trent will be joining our school for Mass together at 9.15am through MS Teams.  The PTA have also kindly paid for an ice cream for every child too as a special treat. We look forward to building a relationship with another Catholic school in the Diocese which shares the same saint.

Next Thursday is St. Patrick's Day. We will be marking this by holding a non-uniform day as a fundraiser for the PTA.  Children can wear green to school on this day.  If you would like your child to be involved, then please pay a donation of £1 per child via Parent Pay.  All the proceeds will help to support every child in school.  Thank you.

Congratulations to the following children for being chosen for Good Work or for displaying the Catholic virtues (Curious and Active) this week.  Well done to St. John's house for gaining the most points too.

Please be aware that your child's PE days may have changed for this half term due to the external provision from RB Gym and Sport.

Football training for boys and girls in Years 5 and 6 will change to a Wednesday lunchtime due to the reintroduction of the 'Daily K' programme across the school.  This is an opportunity for children to walk a km with Ted, our mentor dog, around the school field for about 30minutes.  This is organised on a rota basis so that every child can have the opportunity over the course of the remainder of the term.  Years 5 and 6 on Tuesday, KS1 on Wednesday, Years 3 and 4 on Thursday and Reception on Friday.  This all helps to support our children to achieve the CMO recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

On Monday 21st  February, the Prime Minister set out the next phase of the government’s COVID-19 response ‘Living with COVID-19’. COVID-19 continues to be a virus that we learn to live with and the imperative to reduce the disruption to children and young people’s education remains.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), accessed through option 1 of the DfE COVID-19 helpline, will be decommissioned from Friday 1st April 2022. The UKHSA advice service was introduced in September 2020 to provide advice to education and childcare settings on the action they should take to respond to positive cases of COVID-19 in their setting.

The Wednesday Word can be accessed via following link: The Wednesday Word Primary School Resource | Catholic Church.  Please go through this with leaflet with your child so that they become more familiar and understand the focus of the Gospel each week.

Loving God,

We pray for the people of Ukraine,

for all those suffering or afraid,

that you will be close to them and protect them.

We pray for world leaders,

for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world, that in this moment of crisis,

we may reach out in solidarity to our sisters and brothers in need.

May we walk in your ways, so that peace and justice

become a reality for the people of Ukraine

and for all the world.

Amen.

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be Intentional in the way they live and use the
resources of the earth, guided by conscience; and Prophetic in the example they set to
others.

MARCH

For a Christian response to bioethical challenges

We pray for Christians facing new bioethical challenges; may they continue to defend the dignity of all human life with prayer and action.